JOHN: Marlena? I was hoping I'd find you. I talked to Carrie after you left, she felt as though you may be coming down with something.

MARLENA: Oh well, she's wrong.

JOHN: You sure?

MARLENA: Yes, I feel fine.

JOHN: All right then why aren't you upstairs at the party with everybody else?

MARLENA: I just need some time alone...

JOHN: Why? I mean if you're not ill why are you here? What are you running away from, Doc?

MARLENA: I think you should go...

JOHN: I think you should talk to me.

MARLENA: You know what...maybe Carrie's right, I...I don't feel very well...I think I'll just go home...

JOHN: Doc, what do you know about Zen?

MARLENA: About what?

JOHN: About Zen. As in Buddhism. It's very complicated, yet it's very simple at the same time. Like the story of the man who wanted to know who Buddha was. So he asked him, "Are you a god?" And Buddha said, "No". So he asked him, "Are you an angel?" And once again Buddha said "No". So he said, "You must be a saint" And for the third time Buddha replied, "No". So the man said, "What are you?" And Buddha looked at him and said, "I am awake!" And that's what the word 'Buddha' means..."awake". Now the whole thing started with one man who woke up!

MARLENA: Why are you telling me that story?

JOHN: Because that's how I feel when I'm with you Doc... awake... alive... and nothing and nobody on this earth makes me feel that way!!!

MARLENA: Don't do this to me...

JOHN: Now I know you want to go and I'm not gonna' stop you, but please... there is one thing I need to say, alright?... You knew what I was going through when Isabella died. How I was walking around like a zombie, I was dead inside. Until that night on the plane when you and I made love... you gave me life again, Doc! And if nothing more comes out of this I just want to say Thank you!... If you want me to leave, I will...Is that what you want?...I mean it, Doc. If you want me to leave, I'll walk out that door right now and as hard as it may be, I'll stay out of your life...if that's what you want? Do you want me to go?

Marlena shakes her head to say no and John starts to kiss her. looking in each others eyes they begin to make passionate love on the table.

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